Defect detecting and removing apparatus



Jan. 26, 1943. c. FARROW 2,309,343

DEFECT DETECTING AND REMOVING APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTOPA/EYS Jan. 26, 1943. c Row DEFECT DETECTING AND REMOVING APPARATUS Filed Ilay 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Cl C It TXRPOW ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1943. c, FARROW 2,309,343

DEFECT DETECTING AND REMOVING APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR. c504 n4 2?)?0 w A TOIPNEYS Jan. 26, 1943. c. FARROW 2,309,343

DEFECT DETECTING AND REMOVING APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT OR. CEC/L PA P780 W A TTOPIVLUG.

Patented Jan. 26, 1943 DEFECT DETECTING AND REMOVING APPARATUS Cecil Farrow,

Bainbridge Township,

Geauga County, Ohio, assignor to Republic Steel'Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 15, 1940, Serial No. 335,290

20 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of manufacturing electric welded pipe or tubing and more particularly to apparatus fOr automatically removing from a continuously moving length of tubing such portions thereof as have not been satisfactorily Welded or as have defects therein.

In the usual present practice of manufacturing electric welded pipe or tubing, the terms being used interchangeably herein, strip metal is continuously and progressively formed into a tubular blank having opposed seam edges and these edges are subsequently progressively welded together. The welded tubing then passes through finishing operations, including burr removing or planishing, sizing and straightening, and is thereafter severed into desired lengths.

In some prior practices the welded tube was examined for defects after having been 'cut into pieces of the desired length. When defects of an objectionable magnitude were found, the length of tubing containing one or more of such defects was either scrapped or cut into pieces to eliminate the defects. This procedure had the obvious disadvantage that it required added operations, and pieces of the desired length, but containing defects, were converted into pieces which were shorter than desired. In other words, pieces of many different lengths resulted from such an operation.

According to the present invention, the extra pieces of defect-free tubing of odd lengths can be greatly reduced.

The objects of the present invention are directed to means by which welded tubing can be inspected for defects and defective portions removed therefrom while the tubing is moving. The defects which can be detected and removed by the present invention include: unwelded parts of the seam, which may result when the welding current is turned 01f and the tube continues to move through the welder; partially or improperly welded seams, which may result from lack of sufficient current, pressure or temperature, or combinations thereof, in the welder; and defects outside of the weld, such as cracks, seams and the like, which may result from manufacturing operations prior to welding of the tube.

Apparatus embodying the present i"vention broadly includes a welding device for welding the longitudinal seam of a continuously moving tubular blank, a cut-off mechanism arranged to sever the tubing into pieces of the desired lengths,

and means for detecting defective portions of the tube in advance of the cut-off mechanism and for actuating the cut-ofi to remove the defective portions of the tubing when the same reach the cut-off mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, and the invention itself, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of certain embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of tube making apparatus including the defect detecting and removing apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a wiring diagram and schematic illustration of apparatus embodying the mechanisms shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detached side elevational view of apparatus made in accordance with this invention for controlling the actuation of the cut-off mechanism.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of apparatus generally similar to that illustrated in Figure 3 for controlling the actuation of the cut-off mechanism, but having two separate control means.

Figure 8 is a partial wiring diagram showing the main welding power supply, defect detecting means, and cut-off control connections.

Figure 9 is a partial wiring diagram of apparatus embodying the present invention, and

showing the commutator for insuring that the pin hammer operates only when in alignment with a pin.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 areenlarged detail views of the switch mechanism employed in the circuit of the cut-off device of Figure'Z, the corresponding positions of the pin wheel being shown in phantom lines.

Figure 13 illustrates a modified arrangement of apparatus and operating circuits whereby a tube continuously welding the abutting seam edges of a tubular blank A. As shown, the welding device I includes a welding throat comprising electrodes 2 and 3 and pressure rolls 4. From the welding machine the welded tubing A passes through a plurality of roll stands 5 wherein the tubing is straightened and sized or shaped to predetermined dimensions. The pairs of rolls 6 carried in the stands 5 may be driven by a longitudinally extending drive shaft 1 (see Fig. 2) through gear reducing units and drive gearing indicated at 8 and 9, respectively. For purposes of simplicity,

only one pair of straightening rolls and their associated driving mechanism is indicated in Figure 2.

After the welded tubing leaves the last of the roll stands 5 it travels to a cut-off mechanism generally indicated by the numeral III which may be of any suitable construction. However, I prefer to employ a single revolution clutch operated device similar to that shown in United States patent to Karl W. Hallden, No. 1,836,712, which includes (see Fig. 2) a roller clutch II driven by the main drive shaft 1 throu h spur gears I2 and beveled gears I3. The clutch II is so designed that it is normally maintained inoperative or disenga ed by a solenoid actuated plunger I4 which is movable to control the ring II to permit the clutch to engage and actuate the cut-off through shaft I Ii and crank arm III when the solenoid I 5 is ener ized. This solenoid I5 is momentarily ener ized. in a manner later explained. to effect the withdrawal of the plunger I4 from the n tch in ring II The ring II and clutch I I make a single revolution and are prevented from further rotation by the return of' the plunger I4 into the p siti n of Fi ure'2 by suitable spring means, or the like, not shown. v V

The circuit of the solenoid I5 is as follows: alternating current flows from one side I6 of source of power supply through conductor I1. across relay contacts I8. throu h conductor I 9, to the windings of solenoid I5, and from the solenoid I5 to the other side 20 of the supply line through a conductor 2 I. The contacts I8 are operativelv controlled by the relay winding 22. the circuit of which is from the line 20. through conductor 23. flag or trip switch 24. conductor 25. to the windin 22 of the relay. and from the relay through conductor I1 to line at IS.

The flag switch or trip 24 preferably is positioned in the line of travel of the advancing welded tubing A and. when actuated by engagement of a tube end. closes the relay circuit energizina solenoid coil 22 which in turn closes the contacts I8, completing the circuit to the clutch operating solenoid I5 which then acts to withdraw the plunger I4. permitting the clutch II to enga e and operate cut-off mechanism I0 through one stroke to sever tubing A.

The circuit to the electrodes 2 and 3 of the weld ing machine is from a suitable source of current throu h conductors 26 and 21, auto-transformer 28, weld ng transformer 29 and conductors 30 and 3I to the brushes which engage the rotating electrodes. A switch 32 is placed in the conductor 21 for manually controlling the flow of welding current to the electrodes 2 and 3.

The foregoing structure constitutes a conventional arrangement of tube welding apparatus in which strip metal is continuously formed, welded. and finally severed into desired lengths.

To carry out the objects of this invention I provide, in combination with the foregoing apparatus, a mechanism to actuate the cut-off independently of the usual flag switch, which mechanism is set when a defect occurs in the welding throat or is subsequently detected at some other point, and then actuates the cut-oil, when the defective portion of the tubing has reached it, to remove such defective portion or to sever the tubing behind such defective portion.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed in the combination to actuate the cut-oil after the tube has moved into the cut-off mechanism from the point at which the defect is detected, but I prefer to use the novel controlling mechanism which is illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, and is indicated generally by the numeral 35 in Figure 1.

The control mechanism 35 is supported on a base 36 carried on bracket 31 (see Fig. 1) secured to the housing of the cut-off mechanism It. Mounted on the base 36 are a pair of spaced bearings 38 and 39 in which is iournalled a shaft 40 having a sprocket 4I keyed to its outer free end. The other end of the shaft 40 is formed with gear teeth 42 engaging with teeth formed on the periphery of a gear wheel 43 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 44 supported in a bracket member 45 extending upwardly from the base 38. The wheel 43 is provided with a plurality of transverse holes 46 adjacent its periphery in each of which a pin 41 is mounted for limited sliding movement. In normal position all of the pins project from the right side of the wheel 43 as seen in Figure 4, and in their displaced position extend to the left of the wheel.

The wheel 43 is continuously rotated by shaft 1. so that the rotation of the wheel 43 has a fixed relation to the movement of the tube through the apparatus. The connection between shaft 1 and pin wheel 43 is effected by the gears I2 and a chain 48 (see Fig. 2) connecting a sprocket 49, mounted on the shaft 50, with the sprocket M on the shaft 40. 'Sprockets 4| and 49 are chosen with the proper ratio so that gear wheel 43 will rotate through about two-thirds to three-fourths of a revolution while a point on the welded tubing A is moving from the welder I to the cut-off mechanism I ll.

Secured to shaft 40 between the bearing 39 and the gear teeth 42 is a commutator 5I engaged by brushes 52 and 53 adjustably carried in a support 54 secured to the bearing block 39. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 44 is a worm gear 55 carrying an upwardly extendin arm 56 the free end of which supports a switch 51 adjacent the periphery of the wheel 43. The switch 51 has a cam shoe 62 positioned out of the path of travel of the pins 41 when the same are in their normal position (extending to the right as seen in Fig. 4) but arranged to be engaged by any of the pins which have been moved laterally of the wheel into their displaced position 41.

Suitable mechanism is provided for engaging the pins 41 and pushing the same through the wheel 43 so that they project from the left side thereof (as seen at 41 in Fig. 4) in the path of the cam shoe 62 on the switch 51. This mechanism is actuated by the device for detecting defects in the tube or weld and is positioned ad- Jacent to the periphery of the wheel 43 at a point spaced sufliciently far from the switch 51 so that the rotation of the wheel 43 from the pin pushing mechanism to the switch 51 will correspond with the movement of the defect in the tube from the point at which it was detected to the cut-oil mechanism.

I have shown a ram or hammer 13 supported on the base 38 of the control mechanism 35 and arranged to be actuated upon the opening or closing of welding circuit or a variation in the nected to the windings of the solenoid 15 are connected to a source of current through the commutator brushes 52 and 53 and contact points 34 of a relay 33 which is shunted across the high tension side of the welding circuit or similarly arranged so as to close the circuit to the solenoid when the welding current is interrupted. This circuit, as shown in Figures 2, 8 and 9, is from one side 84 of the current supply through switch S, conductor 18, brush 52 and the commutator 5| to brush 53. The brush 53 is connected to the conductor 18 which leads to solenoid 15 and the circuit from the other side of the solenoid 15 through the conductor 11 to the relay contact points 34 and thence through the conductor 18 to the other side 88 of the current supply.

The commutator 5| is provided with a plurality of contact bars 5|" which are connected in pairs. The brushes 52 and 53 are spaced apart through the same angular distance as the connected bars of each pair so that when the commutator is turned to align two connected bars with the brushes 52 and 53 a circuit i completed between the brushes. The connected pairs of bars 5| are spaced angularly about the commutator as determined by the gear ratio between the shaft 48 on which the commutator is mounted and the gear wheel 43 and by the desired spacing of the pins 41 on the wheel 43, so that a pair of connected bars are in contact with the brushes 52 and 53 when each pin 41 is in alignment with the hammer 13 and the circuit between the brushes 52 and 53 is broken when the pins 41 are not in alignment with the hammer 13. Th s spacing is also sufficient to permit the spring 15 to return the hammer 13 to its retracted position in the interval between the alignment of successive pins 41 with the hammer 13. v

It will be apparent that if the welding current is interrupted the contacts 34 of the relay 33 will close and as soon as one of the pins 41 is in alignment with the hammer 13 the solenoid 15 will be energized to move the hammer 13 to the left as seen in Figure 4 and push the aligned pin 41 to the left hand side of the wheel 43. The rotation of the commutator will then break the circuit and the spring 15 will retract the hammer 13. When the next pin 41 moves into alignment with the hammer 13 the circuit is again made by the commutator and the solenoid 15 again energized to project the next pin through the wheel. This operation continues so long as the contact points 34 of the relay 33 remain closed. each successive pin 41 being projected to the left hand side of the wheel 43 as it is moved into alignment with the hammer 13.

The pin actuated switch 51 is arranged to control the relay 22 independently of the flag switch 24 so as to actuate the cut-off mechanism Ill at any time determined by the control mechanism 35.

To this end, the switch 51 controls a circuit through a relay solenoid 83 (see Fig. 2). This circuit is from supply line 88, conductor 85, switch 51, conductor 88, relay solenoid 83, conductor 81, to supply line 84. The relay solenoid 83, when energized, closes contacts 88 between conductors 18 and 1| which by-passes the circult to relay solenoid 22 around the flag switch 24. A switch 12 in conductor 18 may be manually opened if desired to break the circuit to relay 22 through the contacts 88.

The switch 51 is arranged when moved in one direction to momentarily close the circuit between conductors and 88 and then re-open it,

and during the return movement to its original position to again momentarily close the circuit and re-open it. As shown in Figures 10,11 and 12, the switch consists of four leaf springs 8|, 82, 83 and 84, insulated from each other and secured together at one end in spaced generally parallel relationship. Bottom leaf 8| carries the cam shoe 82 and abuts a block of insulating material 85 carried by the free end of leaf 82. A contact point 88 is mounted on leaf 82 opposite the block 85 and is aligned with a contact point 81 on leaf 84, which is bent down and around the end of leaf 83. Aligned contacts 88 and 88 are carried by the leaves 83 and 84 respectively. A block 88 of insulating material prevents contact between leaves 82 and 83.

The conductors 85 and 88 are connected to the leaves 82 and 83, respectively. It will be apparent that the two sets of contact points are in series so that the circuit is madebetween the conductors 85 and 88 only when both sets of points are closed.

In normal position, the leaves are tensioned so that the points 88 and 88, on the leaves 83 and 84, are in contact, and the points 88 and 81, on the leaves 8| and 84, are spaced apart as shown in Figure 10. When one of the pins 41 which has been projected from the wheel 43 engages the cam shoe 82, the leaves 8| and 82 are pressed upwardly, first bringing the points 88 and 81 into contact, as shown in Figure 11, and thereby completing the circuit from wire 85 through leaf 82. points 88 and 81, leaf 84, points 88 and 88, and leaf 83 to wire 88. The pin 41* continues to move the leaf 8| upwardly, forcing leaf 84 upwardly until contact points 88 and 88 are separated as shown in Figure 12, thereby again breaking the circuit. The switch remains in the position shown in Figure 12 with the circuit open, until all of the successive pins 41 which have been projected have moved past the cam shoe 82. As the last pin of a series leaves the shoe 82 the leaves return to the normal position shown in Figure 10, passing through the position shown in Figure 11, so that the circuit to the relay 83 is again momentarily closed and then re-opened.

As previously stated, the pin pushing hammer 13 is located a sufficient angular distance from the switch 51 about the periphery of the wheel 43 so that a section of pipe which was located in the welding throat at the time the welding current was interrupted and the contacts 34 closed is Just entering the cut-off mechanism l8 when the first pin projected by the hammer 13 is reaching the switch 51. .In order to obtain an exact adjustment of the angular relation between the pin pushing hammer 13 and the switch 51 the arm 58 carrying the switch 51 may be adjusted angularly about the shaft 44 by rotation of the worm 88 engaging the worm gear 1 55 to which the arm 58 is connected. T6 facilitate this adjustment, the worm 88 in the |llustrated embodiment is secured upon a shaft 59 which projects from the housing of the control mechanism and carries a hand knob 58 and a dial 6|.

A disc 83 is preferably mounted on the shaft 40 so that one side of the disc is in alignment with the hammer I3 to prevent any possibility of the hammer I3 projecting the pins 41 completely through the wheel or jamming the ends in the wheel 43. The rotation of the wheel 43 in the illustrated embodiment is in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3. At any suitable point beyond the switch 51 in the direction of travel of the wheel 43 a cam 80 (see Figs. 3 and 6) is mounted on the frame in position to engage any of the pins 41 which have been projected to the left of the wheel as seen in Figure 4 and return them to their normal positions extending to the right of the wheel 43. As shown in Figure 3, the cam 80 may be conveniently mounted adjacent the solenoid I5.

The solenoid I5 is shown so disposed and connected in Figure 2 as to set the pins 41 into switch engaging position when the welding current is interrupted. My invention also contemplates controlling the solenoid I5 when desired so as to set the pins 4! into switch engaging position upon any excessive variation in the amperage or voltage of the welding current or any desired combination thereof. Such a control is particularly desirable in the manufacture of high quality tubing or the like where it is desired to avoid such unsatisfactorily welded portions as may be caused by the interruption of the welding current, or any imperfections in the weld which may be caused by variations in the amperage or Voltage of the welding current. For this purpose I have illustrated in the diagrams in Figures 2 and 8 a control panel I including a watt-meter or other suitable mechanism (not shown) which may be provided with suitable relays connected to the conductors 98 and 99 to close the circuit between the conductors I6 and I1 under certain current conditions which would result in an unsatisfactory weld.

In Figure 7 and in the diagrams of Figures 2 and 9 I have illustrated the manner in which a second solenoid for setting the pins 41 may be embodied in the control unit 35 to be actuated by a defect detector 92 located between the welder I and the cut-off mechanism I0. For example, a testing device of the type shown in United States Patent No. 2,065,379 to Horace C. Kneer et 211., may be mounted in any convenient position between the welder I and the cut-off mechanism l0 and connected to a relay 92 by conductors 92 (Fig. 2). This relay will be actuated to close when a defect in the tube passes the testing device. The circuit controlled by the action of the testing device may be connected to the relay 92 as shown in Figure 2. The contacts of the relay 92 are arranged to close a circuit between conductor 9| connected to one side 68 of the supply line and the conductor 93 connected to one side of the windings 95 of a pin setting solenoid, which controls a hammer 95 and is similar to the solenoid I and hammer I3. The other side of the winding 95 is connected through conductor 94 to the conductor I8, the commutator 5| and through the conductor'19 to the other side 64 of the supply line. To control both the solenoid I5 and solenoid 95 through the same commutator 5I it is only necessary to position the solenoid 95 on the circumference of wheel 43 so that its. hammer 96 is in a line with one of the pins 41 when the hammer I3 is also in line with another of the pins 41. The angular spacing of the solenoids 15 and about the wheel 43 will, of course, vary with the distance between the welder I and the location of the electrical testing device 92. Reference is made to the aforesaid Patent No. 2,065,379 for a complete disclosure of the testing device and the manner in which the same may operate a relay 92 to provide current to operate the contacts thereof.

Operation of the cut-oil through relay 33 in the welding transformer primary supply line through control panel I00, operating upon fluctuations in welding voltage or current and through a testing device such as disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,065,379, operating through relay 02, have all been included in the wiring diagram of Figure 2 for purposes of illustrating various means which may be used to operate the apparatus In actual practice, relay 33 is used alone or not at all as either panel I00 or the testing device operating relay 92 would respond to shutt ng oil of the power or to the unwelded seam produced thereby. So, it will be seen that relay 33 is used alone where a simple apparatus is desired to cut out only those portions of the tube which pass through the welding device I, while the welding power is off. Likewise, either one of the remaining control means, panel I00 or relay 92 with its associated testing device, may be used alone.

In the operation of the apparatus of Figure 2 a tubular blank passes continuously through the welding throat of the welding machine I where the abutting seam edges thereof are welded together. The welded tubing then moves through the stands of sizing rolls 6 into the cut-off mechanism l0 where the end thereof is adapted to engage the flag switch 24 controlling the operation of the cut-oil mechanism I0 to sever the tubing into desired lengths.

When switch 32 is opened and the flow of current to the electrodes 2 and 3 is interrupted, relay 33 is de-energized and contacts-34, which are normally held open by relay 33, are closed. This closes the circuit to the solenoid 15. Similarly the circuit to the solenoid I5 may be closed due to any variation in the voltage or current which will actuate a device to close the circuit through the control panel I00. Energizing the .solenoid I5 is effective to cause the hammer 13 to strike one of the pins 41 and move it to the left side of the gear 43 (see Fig. 4) commutator 5| which is rotating with shaft 40 acts to keep the circuit through solenoid 15 open except when one of the pins 41 is in line with hammer I3. As long as the circuit to solenoid I5 is closed and drive shaft 1 is rotating and moving tubing A, hammer I3 is caused to strike each successive pin 41 which comes in line with it as gear wheel 43 rotates.

Sincehammer I3 has been striking pins 41 while an unwelded portion B was being produced there is corresponding to such portion B a group of pins which have been moved to the left side of gear wheel 43, as shown in Figure 4. This group of displaced pins are carried around by the rotation of gear wheel 43 until they engage shoe 62 associated with switch 51.

Worm gear 55, arm 56 and switch 51 having been previously adjusted so that, as the first oi the group is displaced pins 41 representing a non-welded portion .8 engage cam shoe 52 of switch 51, the portion of the tubing corresponding to this group of displacing pins will be jus:

approaching the cut-off mechanism I0. Switch 51 is closed whenengaged by the first of the group of pins 41 and immediately thereafter is opened.

During the time that switch 51 is closed relay 53 is energized which closes contacts 68 and closes the circuit to relay 22 which in turn closes contacts I8 and completes the circuit through solenoid I5. The cut-off mechanism I is thereby operated to cut tubing A. As the same set of displaced pins 41 leave switch 51 its contacts act in reverse order so that relay 63 is again momentarily energized to cause cut-off mechanism I0 to make another cut through tubing A, immediately after the non-welded portion 13 has passed through the cut-off mechanism.

The device 35 functions in a similar manner to control actuation of the cut-off mechanism when pins 41 are displaced by the solenoid actuated hammer 86, the circuit to which is controlled by the relay 92 of an electrical testing device and thus both unwelded portions of the tube and portions containing other defects will be automatically cut out.

In some cases it is desirable to prevent the cut-off I0 from cutting into a defect. Also, it is impossible with some cut-off machines to cut a piece of less than approximately three feet in length. In the latter case, if a cut is to be made both in advance of and behind a short defect, say of six inches in length, a piece three feet long must be scrapped. To avoid this, it is desirable to make only one cut, so that the defect is left on one end of a piece of tubing where it may be more conveniently removed. Since the length of the piece of tubing, preceding a defect, is controlled by the location of the defect, this piece will usually be a short length. Normally, by leaving the advancing end of the following piece free from a defect, the following piece may be cut full length. Because of this, when only one out can be made, it is desirable that this out be made after the defect so as to leave the defect on the trailing end of the previous piece.

The method of connecting switch 51, shown in Figure I3, accomplishes both things listed in the paragraph above as desirable. That is, it renders the cut-off I0 inoperative while a defeet is passing through, and it also operates to cause the cut-off I0 to make one cut after a defect. has passed through.

In Figures 13 to 16, top leaf 84 of switch 51 is connected through conductor I01 to one side 68 of the 110 volt supply line. Leaf 83 is connected through conductor 66 to relay 63 and also through conductor III to relay I03. The circuit from relay 63- is completed through conductor I06 to normally closed contacts I05 of relay I03 and thence through conductor 81 to the other side 84 of the 110 volt supply. The circuit of relay I03 is completed through normally closed contacts I02 of relay MI and conductor 2 to other side 84 of the 110 volt supply.

Leaf 82 of switch 51 is connected through conductor 65 to relay IN. the other side of which is connected through conductor I I2 to the other side 64 of the 110 volt supply. -One side of paddle switch 24 is connected to one side of a 110 volt supply through conductor IIO, normally closed contacts 91 of relay IOI and conductor I09. The'other side of paddle or flag switch 24 is connected in a manner previously explained for Figure 2, i. e. through relay 22 to side I6 of the 110 volt supp y.

The operation of the circuit as shown in Figure 13 is as follows:

In the normal position of the cam switch 51, as shown in Figure 14, relay I03 is energized through the following circuit: from one side 68 of a volt supply line through conductor I01 to leaf 84 of cam switch 51, thence through contacts 88 and 89 to leaf 83, thence through conductors 66- and III to the relay I03 and from the other side of relay I03 through conductor I08, normally closed contacts I02 of relay IN and thence by conductor II2 to the other side 64 of the 110 volt supply. Relay 63 is not energized because normally closed contacts I05 of relay I03 are held open. Relay IOI is not energized because contacts 86 and 81 of cam switch 51 are open.

When a pin 41 moves cam switch 51, as previously explained, into the position shown in Figure 15, relay IOI is energized through line 64, conductor II2, conductor 65, leaf 82, contacts 88 and 81, leaf 84, and conductor I01 to line 68. Operation of relay IOI opens contacts 91 which disconnects paddle switch 24 so that the cut-off I0 can not be operated by the paddle switch 24 as long as relay IOI is energized. Operation of'relay IOI also opens contacts I02. Relay I03 remains energized from the 110 volt line 64-68 through conductor 61 and contacts I04 on one side and through conductors III and 66, leaf 83, contacts 88 and 89, leaf 84 and conductor I01, on the other side. This maintains normally closed contacts I05 in an open position so that relay 63 is not energized, so contacts 68 are still open, thus preventing the cut-off I0 from operating on the first movement of switch 51.

In the next position of cam switch as shown in Figure 16, contacts 88 and 81 remain closed and contacts 88 and 88 open. Relay IOI remains energized. Relay I03 is de-energized and relay, 63 remains not energized. In this condition contacts 91, I02, I04 and 69 are open and contacts I05 are closed.

As the defective portion of the tube clears the cut-oi. I0 the cam switch 51 again passes through the position shown in Figure 15, as previously explained. Relay IOI remains energized because contacts 86 and 81 remain closed.

Because relay IOI remains energized, normally closed contacts I02 remain open, disconnecting one side of relay I03 from the 110 volt supply lead 64. Therefore relay I03 remains not energized, and normally closed contacts I05 remain closed. In this position of cam switch 51 contacts 88 and 89 are closed so that relay 63 is now energized through the following circuit: from one side 88 of the 110 volt supply line through conductor I01, leaf 84, contacts 88 and 88, leaf 83, conductor 66 to relay 63, and from the other side of relay 53 through conductor I08 contacts I05, and conductor 81, to the other side 64 of the 110 volt supply line. Energizing relay I53 closes normally open contacts 68 which operate through conductors 10 and 1| to by-pass paddle switch 24 to. operate the cut-off In as previously explained.

Finally, cam switch 81 is returned to the position shown in Figure 14, with contacts 88 and 81 open and contacts 88 and 89 closed. in this position the circuit through the coil of rela IOI is broken by opening contacts 88 and 81 and relay IOI is deenergized. This allows normally closed contacts 91 to close, reconnecting flag switch 24. It also allows normally closed.

contacts N12 to close, completing the circuit through the coil of relay 13 as explained previously for the normal position of cam switch 31.

Energizing relay 13 causes normally closed contacts I to be opened thus opening the circuit of relay 63 and allowing normally open contacts 89 to open again. This completes the process of restoring the circuit to its normal position of waiting for the next defect with flag switch 24 restored to control of the cut-oil.

Although several forms of my invention have been described in considerable detail it will be understood that variations and' modifications may be made in the connections and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. The described apparatus is designed particularly for use with electric tube welding machines, but it will be understood that my improved defect detecting and removing mechanism can be employed in connection with the production of tubing by other methods and also is readily adaptable for removing defects from moving metallic sheet or strip material. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the specific forms herein illustrated and described, but claim all embodiments thereoi.

coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus including mechanism for moving a metal article in the direction of its length, a cut-ofi mechanism for severing the moving article and apparatus for detecting defects in the article in advance of the cut-off mechanism, means controlled by said defect detecting apparatus to actuate the cut-oil? mechanism to sever the article when a detected defect in the article reaches the cut-off mechanism, said means including a member movable in predetermined relation to the movement of said article.

2. In apparatus including-a welder for continuously welding the longitudinal seam of tubing, a cut-oil mechanism iorsevering the welded tubing and apparatus for detecting defects in the weld of the tubing in advance of the cut-off mechanism, means controlled by said defect detecting apparatus to actuate the cut-oflf mechanism to sever the tubing at each end of a detected defective weld portion as the same passes through the cut-off mechanism, said means including,a member movable in predetermined relation to the movement of said tubing.

3. In apparatus including an electric tube welder having an electrical circuit for supplying welding current to endwise moving tubing and a cut-off mechanism for severing the welded tubing, means responsive to the opening and the closing of the welding circuit for controlling the actuation of the cut-off mechanism for severing article and a testing device for detecting defects in said article, means, controlled by said testing device, for actuating the cut-off. mechanism to remove from the moving article a detected de- Iective portion thereof when the same reaches the cut-off mechanism, said means including a movable member and means for moving it in synchronism with the movement of the said article.

5. In apparatus including a welder for continuously welding the longitudinal seam 01' endwise moving tubing and a cut-oil mechanism for severing the welded tubing, means responsive to variations in the flow of welding current to said welder for actuating the cut-off mechanism to sever the tubing at a predetermined time after a current variation occurs, said means including a member rotatable in synchronism with the travel of said tubing and means acting thru said rotatable member for actuating said cut-ofl mechanism.

6. In apparatus including a welder for welding the longitudinal seam of endwise moving tub-ing and means for severing the welded tubing, control means for controlling said severing means to sever defect containing weld portions from the tubing, said control means including a rotatable member, mechanism to rotate it in synchronism with the movement of said tubing, and apparatus acting thru said rotatable member i'or actuating said severing means.

7. In apparatus including means for moving an elongated metal article in the direction of its length, means for severing the metal article and means for detecting defects in the article, control means controlled by said defect detecting means for controlling the operation of said severing means, said control means including a movable member, apparatus for moving it in synchronism with the movement of said article, an electric switch, and devices carried by said movable member for actuating said switch.

8. In apparatus including an electrical welder for welding the longitudinal seam of endwise moving metal tubing, a current supply circuit for said welder and mechanism for severing the welded tubing, means for actuating said severing mechanism to remove portions 01' the tubing which pass through the welder during periods when no welding current flows in said welder circuit, the said means including a rotatable member, means to rotate it in synchronism with the movement of said tubing, an electrical circuit between said rotatable member and said severing means, and means carried by said rotatable member for opening and closing said circuit.

9. In apparatus including a welder for welding the longitudinal seam or tubing. and means responsive to the opening and closing of the welding circuit for removing defect containing portions from the tubing caused by said opening and closing of the welding circuit, said means including a member movable in synchronism with the movement of said tubing and electrical means actuated by said member for permitting actuation of said defect removing means.

10. In apparatus including a welder for welding the longitudinal seam of endwise moving tubing, a cut-oil mechanism for severing the welded tubing, and means for detecting defects in the tubing in advance of the cut-off mechanism, a rotatable wheel, a plurality of pins spaced around the periphery of said wheel, pin pushing means responsive to said detec de. tecting means for laterally displacing said pins, and means, controlled by said pins, for controlling the operation of the cut-ofl mechanism to sever the tubing when a detected defect in the tubing reaches the cut-oflmechanism.

1 1. In apparatus including an electric welder for welding the longitudinal seam of endwise moving tubing, and a cut-oil mechanism for severing the welded tubing, a rotatable wheel, a plurality of pins spaced around the periphery of said wheel, means, controlled by variations in the fiow of current to said welder, for moving said pins, and means, controlled by said pins, for actuating the cut-off mechanism to sever the tubing when portions of the tube which pass through the welder during such variations in welding current reach said cut-off mechanism.

12. In apparatus including a welder for con tinuously welding the longitudinal seam of endwise moving tubing, a cut-oil mechanism for severing the welded tubing, and means for detecting defects in the tubing in advance of the cut-off mechanism, a rotatable wheel, laterally displaceable pins carried by said wheel, means responsive to said defect detecting means for displacing said pins, and means engageable by such displaced pins for controlling the actuation of the cut-ofi mechanism to sever the tubing at each end of a detected defect in the tubing.

13. In apparatus including means for moving an elongated metal article lengthwise, a cut-ofi mechanism for severing the article, and means for detecting defects in the article in advance of the cut-off mechanism, a member movable in predetermined relation to the endwise movement of the article, displaceable means carried by said member, means for moving said displaceable means in response to said defect detecting means, and means controlled by said displaceable means to actuate the cut-off mechanism to sever the article when a detected defect in the article reaches the cut-01f mechanism.

14. In apparatus including a welder for continuously welding the longitudinal seam of tubing, a cut-off mechanism for severing the welded tubing and means for detecting defects in the tubing in advance of the cut-off mechanism, means for actuating said cut-off mechanism including a wheel rotatable in predetermined relation to movement of the tubing through the welder, displaceable pins mounted on said wheel, means actuated by said detecting means for actuating said displaceable means, and means engageable by said pins for controlling the actuation of the cut-off mechanism to sever tubing at each end of a detected defct when such detected defect in the tubing reaches the cut-oiI mechanism.

15. In apparatus of the type described including means for moving an elongated metal article in the direction of its length and means for severing the article while moving, means for con.. trolling the operation of said severing means including'defect detecting means disposed in advance of said severing means, a rotatable member movable in synchronism with the article movement, a plurality of movable switch operating members carried by said rotatable member, a switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating members when said switch operating members are in one position, means responsive to said defect detecting means for moving said switch operating members into said one position,

means for returning said switch operating mem-- bers to their other position, and electrical connections from said switch to said article sever- -'ing means, said means for moving said switch operating members being circumferentially spaced around said rotatable member ahead of said switch whereby said switch will be actuated to control the article severing means to cut the article after the detected defect has passed the severing means.

16. In apparatus of the type described including means for moving an elongated metal article in the direction of its length and means for severing the tube while moving, means for ccntrolling the operation of said severing means including defect detecting means disposed in advance of said severing means, a rotatable member movable in synchronism with the article movement, a plurality of movable switch operating members carried by said rotatable member, a switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating members when said switch operating members are in one position, means responsive to said defect detecting means for moving said switch operating members into said one position, means for returning said switch operating members to their other position, and electrical connections from said switch to said article severing means, said meansfor moving said switch operating members bein circumferentially spaced around said rotatable member ahead of said switch whereby said switch will be actuated to control the article severing means to cut the article before the detected defect has passed the severing means.

17. In apparatus of the type described including means for moving a metal tube in the direction of its length and means for severing the tube while moving, means for controlling the operation of said severing means including defect detecting means disposed in advance of said severing means, a rotatable member movable in synchronism with the tube movement, a plurality of movable switch operating members carried by said rotatable member, a switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating members when said switch operating members are in one position, means responsive to said defect detecting means for moving said switch operating members into said one position, means for returning said switch operating members to their other position, and electrical connections from said switch to said tube severing means, said means for moving said switch operating members being circumierentially spaced around said rotatable member ahead of said switch whereby said switch will be actuated to control the tube severing means to cut the tube before and after the'detected defect has passed the severing means.

18. In apparatus of the type described including means for moving a metal tube in the direction of its length and means for severing the tube while moving, means for controlling the operation of said severing means including defect detecting means disposed in advance of said severing means, a rotatable member movable in synchronism with the tube movement, a plurality of movable switch operating members carried by said rotatable member, a switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating members when said switch operatin members are in one position, means responsive to said defect detecting means for moving said switch operating members into said one position, means for returning said switch operating members to their other position, electrical connections from said switch to said tube severing means, said means for mov- I severing means open while a defect is passing hrough said severing means.

19. In apparatus including tube severing means and means for actuating said severing means, control means for said severing means comprising a rotatable wheel, a switch disposed adjacent said wheel, a plurality of movable switch engaging members arranged circumferentially around said wheel, said members having switch engaging and switch clearing positions, means, positioned adjacent said wheel and circumferentially displaced from said switch, for moving said members nto switch engaging position, means positioned beyond said switch and ahead of said means for moving said members into switch engaging posi- .ion for returning said member to switch clearng position, and electrical connections from said switch to said means for actuating said severing means.

20. In apparatus including mechanism for moving a metal article in the direction oi its length, a cut-ofi mechanism for severing the moving article and apparatus for detecting de- 'ects in the article in advance of the cut-0t! mechanism, means controlling actuation of the cut-on mechanism, said control means including a member movable in predetermined relation relative to the movement of the article and means actuated by said detect detecting apparatus and acting thru said movable member for controlling actuation of the cut-oi! mechanism to sever the article at a place predetermined with respect to a detected defect in the article.

CECIL FARROW. 

